Learn Astro

Itf has been established over the ages that the planets, right up there in the solar system have a formidable influence on human life. The thinking and behaviour patterns of human beings, and that the turn of events in his/her life is largely shaped by the stars in our galaxy.

The Sun and the planets have the greatest and most immediate influence on the Earth's atmosphere and environment because the Earth is a part of the solar system.Astrology is a combination of Science and Metaphysics. To make a map and erect a horoscope from the birth particulars is a scientific process requiring considerable expertise, skill and application.

The Zodiac consists of 360 degrees of an arc which is divided into 27 Constellations. We have also to judge the goods or evil relations of the planets with the constellations and their Lords. These Constellation Divisions come in handy while analyzing the results of transits of planets through these constellations. But the entire calculation is carried out on the basis of scientific principles and time tested theoriesGENERAL :

Time Limit
A day 24 hours
An hour 60 minutes
A minute 60 seconds
1 day 86, 400 seconds.

The Timetable
A day 60 ghatikas
A ghatika 60 viliptas
A lipta 60 viliptas
A lipta 60 paras
A para 60 tatparas
i.e. 1 day 46,656,000,000 tatparas.

The Solar year has twelve months called :
Chittarai
Adi
Alpisi
Thai
Vykasi
Avani
Karthikai
Masi
Ani
Perattasi
Margali
Panguni
These months are calculated according to the entry of the Sun into each Sign from Aries

Name of Planet
Time taken to move in a Sign or Rashi
Sun Surya About 1 month
Moon Chandra 2-1/4 days
Mars Mangal Or Kuja 45 days
Mercury Budha About a month
Jupiter Guru A year
Venus Shukra A month
Saturn Sani 2-1/4 years
Dragon's Head Rahu 1-1/2 years
Dragon's Tail Ketu 1-1/2 years

The Zodiac is an imaginary belt stretching about 9° north and 9° south of the eclipse within which the planets and the Moon remain in the course of their movement. In case of the Moon, the deviation from the ecliptic is about + 5°. This belt is divided into 12 equal parts each of 30° and each part is called a sign. According to the western system of Astrology, the first sign, i.e., Aries starts from the point of intersection of the ecliptic and the equator. There are 12 signs., in both the systems, the first being Aries, followed by Taurus. The twelfth sign of the Zodiac is Pisces.

Signs or RashisThere are twelve signs in the Zodiac, namely, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. Each of these signs has a stretch of 30° in the Zodiac.
Planets

The planets which, according to astrology, have the most powerful influence on the Earth are nine in number, namely, Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu. The last two are called the shadowy planets as they do not have physical or celestial bodies like the other planets. Of the two places where the moon crosses the ecliptic (that is, the path of the Sun), the north point is known as Rahu and the corresponding south point which is exactly 180° away from the former is called Ketu. In spite of the fact that they are not celestial bodies like other planets, they are very sensitive and effective points and it is on account of their powerful influence on the Earth, that our ancient savants of astrology have termed them as planets.
Movements and Motions of PlanetsAll the planets (Rahu and Ketu excepted) perform the double function of not only revolving on their own axes (from West to East), but also round the Sun. Saturn Is the most distant from the Earth. Jupiter, Mars, the Sun, Venus, Mercury and the Moon come next in order of their distance from the terrestrial globe. The velocity of each planet diminishes as its distance from the Earth increases.
While Rahu is associated with power and affluence, Ketu is considered more spiritual, helping the Hindus to develop their nobler and spiritual interests and to facilitate attainment of moksha or Salvation. The extra Saturnine planets, Uranus,Neptune and Pluto do not find much prominence in the Indian System though, of late, more and more Indian Astrolgers are blending the Eastern and Westems to derive the full benefits from the researches made by the Westerns Scholars.
The planets exercise their influence on the life on this planet, according to their placement, strength and dignity in the Zodiac at the time of birth.